FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: How do Foster Children come to be?
Answer: Children come to care because of a wide range of social, medical and economic reasons; sometimes their parents are simply unable to provide acceptable care for their children. These parents may be dealing with issues related to drugs/alcohol, domestic violence or Mental Health concerns that severely impact the level of care provided to their children. Furthermore, some children can’t live at home because of social, development or emotional problems. These children often require special care, education, or medical services.
Question: Who set the Rules for Child welfare in Ontario?
Answer: The Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Children & Youth Services, has the ultimate responsibility for Child welfare. The Child & Family Services Act sets out the framework for standards of care for children in the Province of Ontario. The Children's Aid Societies investigate all related child welfare complaints in their jurisdictions and when deemed necessary enforce the Child & Family Services Act.
This enforcement can sometimes involve removing a child from their biological home, temporarily or permanently. When this happens, the child or children are often placed in a foster home or group home.
Question: What is the difference between fostering with a Children’s Aid Society and fostering with Life-center?
Answer: Children’s Aid Societies are government-empowered bodies that are ultimately responsible for the well being of all children in public care in Ontario. It is up to these organizations to find the best fostering placements for these children and youth.
Independent Fostering Agencies such as Life-center provide services to Children’s Aid Societies in partnership with them. We provide specialized foster care and have our own foster parents, Social Workers, Child and Youth workers and Therapists who work to support children and youth referred to Life-center.
Question: Where are these youth coming from and how long are they in placement?
Answer: Life-center places children/ youth from several different referral Children's Aid Society (CAS) mostly in Hamilton/Niagara region.
Question: What type of children/youth is likely to be referred to Life-center?
Answer: A wide variety of children youth that have experienced difficulties living in a responsible manner within the community will be referred to Life-center. These youth often have a variety of emotional and behavioral problems. They require daily guidance, supervision, and direction in learning more appropriate ways of dealing with others. The youth are typically between the ages of 6 to 18.
Question: How many children/youth can be placed in a foster home?
Answer: There are many factors that determine how many children/youth that can be place in a foster home but the maximum is 4. Considerations include: number of biological children in the home, strengths and experience of family, availability of the primary care provider, and house and bedroom space. Typically, families care for 1 or 2 children/youth but in special circumstances where there are sufficient experienced resources, the families can care for 3 or 4 children/youth.
Question: What role do families play in choosing what children/youth placed homes?
Answer: Families have full opportunity to receive and review all information about the children/youth considered to live in their homes. The final decision about whether a particular children/youth comes to live with a family is a joint decision agreed to by the children/youth, the family, the referring agency, and Life-center.
Question: Can I still go out to work and be a foster parent?
Answer: In certain situations you may be able to continue to work while fostering, depending upon your specific circumstances. For example, you might own a home-run business and be in the house during the day. Life-center makes every effort to be flexible to your circumstances while ensuring that the delivery of secure and high quality of care remains our top priority.
Question: What is the per diem or pay per child?
Answer: The rate is $60-75 a day per child. It is based on the experience of the foster parents as well as the needs of the child.
Question: What kind of support is available for Life-center families?
Answer: Life-center on call manager is available 24hrs, seven days a week for assistance. A case manager is assigned to each family to provide ongoing support, regular visits, and supervision. CYW also run ongoing support groups for foster parents. There are monthly foster parent meetings and luncheons for foster families to share their experiences.
Question: How do I complain about your services?
Answer: Here is our Complaint Procedure policy
Children and Youths in care of LIFE CENTER and their parents shall be informed, upon admission, of their right to register a complaint regarding any concerns that may arise while they are receiving care from LIFE CENTER. This right shall be reviewed at the plan of care meetings and subsequently as required.
LIFE CENTER and the referring Agency shall investigate and respond to the complaints of prospective children, residing children, family of origin, Foster parents, volunteers, students, and anyone else according to the needs of the complainant and the nature of the complaint.
LIFE CENTER and the referring Agency shall provide mandatory services, involve the child in making as many choices and decisions as possible, and take the least drastic and most constructive course.
The circumstances of the case or the child's projection of personal unhappiness or blame may prevent LIFE CENTER and/ or the referring Agency from alleviating the discontent.
Where LIFE CENTER and/or the referring Agency is unable, over a reasonable length of time, either directly or through the Foster parent, to gain the assent and compliance of the child, other placement options may need to be considered.
The Complaint Investigation:
LIFE CENTER shall respond to every complaint including verbal complaints made by the Child/Youth. LIFE CENTER Foster parent shall make a record of any complaint.
LIFE CENTER Director shall try to resolve the difficulty informally at an early stage. From the first step onward, the important elements in the process are openness, fairness, and promptness. LIFE CENTER shall make the complaint procedure available to any person on request.
The procedure will offer support and provision to:
(a) A child in care;
(b) The family of origin, or
(c) Another person representing the young person.
Responsibility for investigating any concern/complaint rests initially with the Supervisor. If further action is required, the Program Supervisor shall request the support of the Program Manager.
The Program Director shall respond to every complaint within twenty-four (24) hours of the complaint being received.
LIFE CENTER Program Director shall determine what, if any, immediate action should be taken to respond to the complaint and what, if any, supports the child in care or the person making the complaint may require participating in the complaints review process.
Where the complaint is made to LIFE CENTER management without the knowledge of the Foster parent, LIFE CENTER shall advise the Foster parent of the complaint.
Investigations of the complaint can occur in several ways, based on who is involved.
Within five (5) business days of learning of the dissatisfaction, the Supervisor or Program Manager shall study the case, and meet with the child separately or together with any other persons involved. The Program Supervisor or Program Manager shall make a written report of the investigation and results. These shall be shared with the child and Foster parent within five (5) business days.
Should a child/youth believe that the concern has not been adequately resolved by the Program Director, he/she has the right to meet with the Program Director.
Within five (5) business days of learning of the dissatisfaction, the Program Director shall study the case and meet with the child separately or together with any of the persons involved.
The Program Director shall make a written report of the investigation and results. These shall be shared with the child and Foster parent within five (5) business days.
The decision of the Program Director is final on behalf of LIFE CENTER
Until the results of a complaints review have been provided to the person who made the complaint, LIFE CENTER shall provide an update to the person on the status of the review if requested by the person, and at such other times as necessary to ensure that the person receives an update on the review no later than 15 days after LIFE CENTER receives the complaint and subsequently at intervals of no more than 15 days.
This requirement does not apply if the complaint was made anonymously
A child can consult with outside agencies at the beginning, during, and after the LIFE CENTER-compliant procedure.
The following agencies may be contacted:
Office of the Ombudsman
LIFE CENTER shall ensure that all Foster parents are knowledgeable about the services that the Ombudsman can provide to the children and their families. Each child will always have complete access to this office. Upon admission and a plan of care meetings, the Foster parent shall explain to the child the role of the Ombudsman and their rights to contact them whenever they feel it might be necessary.
All correspondence and communication between a child and the Office of the Office shall be confidential.
Foster parents who feel that a child's rights have been violated or infringed upon also have access to the Ombudsman’s office. They shall document their concern, advise the Program Manager, and contact the Office of the Ombudsman:
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
Children and Youth Unit
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
· Toll-free (inside Ontario only): 1-800-263-2841
· Telephone: 416-325-5669
· TTY (teletypewriter): 416-325-2648
· Fax: 416-325-5681
· Email: cy-ej@ombudsman.on.ca
Residential Placement Advisory Committee
A child can consult with the Residential Placement Advisory Committee (RPAC) which is a committee that a youth has available to them in requesting a change in their residential placement and their right to review the decision of the committee
Other complaints:
The child is advised that they can call their lawyer, the Solicitor General and Ministry of Correctional Services (if in Custody), the Human Rights Commission, a member of the Federal or Provincial Parliament, or any government minister.
All complaints about a child shall be filed in the child's file once resolved.
The report should contain at least the following elements and be placed in the home file:
Complaint procedures Brochures shall be posted in the home
The child's referring Agency Social Worker(s) shall provide all children with a Complaints Procedure Brochure at the time of admission to the home or if the case is transferred to a new Social Worker.
Complaint to Allegation of Abuse:
If a complaint shifts to being treated as an allegation of abuse and an investigation begins, Foster parents, children, and families shall be notified immediately.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE EXPLANATION
It is your right to be heard and to have your complaint investigated. If you feel your rights have been violated:
1. Discuss your complaint with the Foster parent.
2. Foster parent will then investigate your complaint and will get back to you with their findings
3. If you are not satisfied with the results, report your complaint to the case manager, using any of your choice phone or text.
4. They will investigate and report their findings to you
6. If you are still not satisfied with this decision, you may consult with the Program Director. This decision is final and binding on behalf of LIFE CENTER if you are still not happy then you may request to contact the external support mechanisms available to you and respond in writing within five business days
7. The referring Agency Social Worker will be consulted on the matter and kept up-to-date on the progress/results
8. Anytime throughout the process you may contact any of the following as well as follow the internal process:
Answer: Children come to care because of a wide range of social, medical and economic reasons; sometimes their parents are simply unable to provide acceptable care for their children. These parents may be dealing with issues related to drugs/alcohol, domestic violence or Mental Health concerns that severely impact the level of care provided to their children. Furthermore, some children can’t live at home because of social, development or emotional problems. These children often require special care, education, or medical services.
Question: Who set the Rules for Child welfare in Ontario?
Answer: The Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Children & Youth Services, has the ultimate responsibility for Child welfare. The Child & Family Services Act sets out the framework for standards of care for children in the Province of Ontario. The Children's Aid Societies investigate all related child welfare complaints in their jurisdictions and when deemed necessary enforce the Child & Family Services Act.
This enforcement can sometimes involve removing a child from their biological home, temporarily or permanently. When this happens, the child or children are often placed in a foster home or group home.
Question: What is the difference between fostering with a Children’s Aid Society and fostering with Life-center?
Answer: Children’s Aid Societies are government-empowered bodies that are ultimately responsible for the well being of all children in public care in Ontario. It is up to these organizations to find the best fostering placements for these children and youth.
Independent Fostering Agencies such as Life-center provide services to Children’s Aid Societies in partnership with them. We provide specialized foster care and have our own foster parents, Social Workers, Child and Youth workers and Therapists who work to support children and youth referred to Life-center.
Question: Where are these youth coming from and how long are they in placement?
Answer: Life-center places children/ youth from several different referral Children's Aid Society (CAS) mostly in Hamilton/Niagara region.
Question: What type of children/youth is likely to be referred to Life-center?
Answer: A wide variety of children youth that have experienced difficulties living in a responsible manner within the community will be referred to Life-center. These youth often have a variety of emotional and behavioral problems. They require daily guidance, supervision, and direction in learning more appropriate ways of dealing with others. The youth are typically between the ages of 6 to 18.
Question: How many children/youth can be placed in a foster home?
Answer: There are many factors that determine how many children/youth that can be place in a foster home but the maximum is 4. Considerations include: number of biological children in the home, strengths and experience of family, availability of the primary care provider, and house and bedroom space. Typically, families care for 1 or 2 children/youth but in special circumstances where there are sufficient experienced resources, the families can care for 3 or 4 children/youth.
Question: What role do families play in choosing what children/youth placed homes?
Answer: Families have full opportunity to receive and review all information about the children/youth considered to live in their homes. The final decision about whether a particular children/youth comes to live with a family is a joint decision agreed to by the children/youth, the family, the referring agency, and Life-center.
Question: Can I still go out to work and be a foster parent?
Answer: In certain situations you may be able to continue to work while fostering, depending upon your specific circumstances. For example, you might own a home-run business and be in the house during the day. Life-center makes every effort to be flexible to your circumstances while ensuring that the delivery of secure and high quality of care remains our top priority.
Question: What is the per diem or pay per child?
Answer: The rate is $60-75 a day per child. It is based on the experience of the foster parents as well as the needs of the child.
Question: What kind of support is available for Life-center families?
Answer: Life-center on call manager is available 24hrs, seven days a week for assistance. A case manager is assigned to each family to provide ongoing support, regular visits, and supervision. CYW also run ongoing support groups for foster parents. There are monthly foster parent meetings and luncheons for foster families to share their experiences.
Question: How do I complain about your services?
Answer: Here is our Complaint Procedure policy
Children and Youths in care of LIFE CENTER and their parents shall be informed, upon admission, of their right to register a complaint regarding any concerns that may arise while they are receiving care from LIFE CENTER. This right shall be reviewed at the plan of care meetings and subsequently as required.
LIFE CENTER and the referring Agency shall investigate and respond to the complaints of prospective children, residing children, family of origin, Foster parents, volunteers, students, and anyone else according to the needs of the complainant and the nature of the complaint.
LIFE CENTER and the referring Agency shall provide mandatory services, involve the child in making as many choices and decisions as possible, and take the least drastic and most constructive course.
The circumstances of the case or the child's projection of personal unhappiness or blame may prevent LIFE CENTER and/ or the referring Agency from alleviating the discontent.
Where LIFE CENTER and/or the referring Agency is unable, over a reasonable length of time, either directly or through the Foster parent, to gain the assent and compliance of the child, other placement options may need to be considered.
The Complaint Investigation:
LIFE CENTER shall respond to every complaint including verbal complaints made by the Child/Youth. LIFE CENTER Foster parent shall make a record of any complaint.
LIFE CENTER Director shall try to resolve the difficulty informally at an early stage. From the first step onward, the important elements in the process are openness, fairness, and promptness. LIFE CENTER shall make the complaint procedure available to any person on request.
The procedure will offer support and provision to:
(a) A child in care;
(b) The family of origin, or
(c) Another person representing the young person.
Responsibility for investigating any concern/complaint rests initially with the Supervisor. If further action is required, the Program Supervisor shall request the support of the Program Manager.
The Program Director shall respond to every complaint within twenty-four (24) hours of the complaint being received.
LIFE CENTER Program Director shall determine what, if any, immediate action should be taken to respond to the complaint and what, if any, supports the child in care or the person making the complaint may require participating in the complaints review process.
Where the complaint is made to LIFE CENTER management without the knowledge of the Foster parent, LIFE CENTER shall advise the Foster parent of the complaint.
Investigations of the complaint can occur in several ways, based on who is involved.
- interviewing the Foster parent
- interviewing the child
- interviewing other children in the home
- interviewing family members of the child
Within five (5) business days of learning of the dissatisfaction, the Supervisor or Program Manager shall study the case, and meet with the child separately or together with any other persons involved. The Program Supervisor or Program Manager shall make a written report of the investigation and results. These shall be shared with the child and Foster parent within five (5) business days.
Should a child/youth believe that the concern has not been adequately resolved by the Program Director, he/she has the right to meet with the Program Director.
Within five (5) business days of learning of the dissatisfaction, the Program Director shall study the case and meet with the child separately or together with any of the persons involved.
The Program Director shall make a written report of the investigation and results. These shall be shared with the child and Foster parent within five (5) business days.
The decision of the Program Director is final on behalf of LIFE CENTER
Until the results of a complaints review have been provided to the person who made the complaint, LIFE CENTER shall provide an update to the person on the status of the review if requested by the person, and at such other times as necessary to ensure that the person receives an update on the review no later than 15 days after LIFE CENTER receives the complaint and subsequently at intervals of no more than 15 days.
This requirement does not apply if the complaint was made anonymously
A child can consult with outside agencies at the beginning, during, and after the LIFE CENTER-compliant procedure.
The following agencies may be contacted:
Office of the Ombudsman
LIFE CENTER shall ensure that all Foster parents are knowledgeable about the services that the Ombudsman can provide to the children and their families. Each child will always have complete access to this office. Upon admission and a plan of care meetings, the Foster parent shall explain to the child the role of the Ombudsman and their rights to contact them whenever they feel it might be necessary.
All correspondence and communication between a child and the Office of the Office shall be confidential.
Foster parents who feel that a child's rights have been violated or infringed upon also have access to the Ombudsman’s office. They shall document their concern, advise the Program Manager, and contact the Office of the Ombudsman:
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
Children and Youth Unit
401 Bay Street, Suite 2200
Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
· Toll-free (inside Ontario only): 1-800-263-2841
· Telephone: 416-325-5669
· TTY (teletypewriter): 416-325-2648
· Fax: 416-325-5681
· Email: cy-ej@ombudsman.on.ca
Residential Placement Advisory Committee
A child can consult with the Residential Placement Advisory Committee (RPAC) which is a committee that a youth has available to them in requesting a change in their residential placement and their right to review the decision of the committee
Other complaints:
The child is advised that they can call their lawyer, the Solicitor General and Ministry of Correctional Services (if in Custody), the Human Rights Commission, a member of the Federal or Provincial Parliament, or any government minister.
All complaints about a child shall be filed in the child's file once resolved.
The report should contain at least the following elements and be placed in the home file:
- The circumstances surrounding the concern
- Who conducted the inquiry, when, where, and why
- What further action is required
- What are the findings, results, and recommendations/actions
- The date and nature of the complaint
- Source of the complaint
Complaint procedures Brochures shall be posted in the home
The child's referring Agency Social Worker(s) shall provide all children with a Complaints Procedure Brochure at the time of admission to the home or if the case is transferred to a new Social Worker.
Complaint to Allegation of Abuse:
If a complaint shifts to being treated as an allegation of abuse and an investigation begins, Foster parents, children, and families shall be notified immediately.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE EXPLANATION
It is your right to be heard and to have your complaint investigated. If you feel your rights have been violated:
1. Discuss your complaint with the Foster parent.
2. Foster parent will then investigate your complaint and will get back to you with their findings
3. If you are not satisfied with the results, report your complaint to the case manager, using any of your choice phone or text.
4. They will investigate and report their findings to you
6. If you are still not satisfied with this decision, you may consult with the Program Director. This decision is final and binding on behalf of LIFE CENTER if you are still not happy then you may request to contact the external support mechanisms available to you and respond in writing within five business days
7. The referring Agency Social Worker will be consulted on the matter and kept up-to-date on the progress/results
8. Anytime throughout the process you may contact any of the following as well as follow the internal process:
- Ombudsman's Office
- Residential Placement Advisory Committee
- CAS Representative
- Member of Parliament of the Legislative Assembly
- Member of the Federal or province Parliament