*Disclaimer: Processes are subject to change at any time. This is merely a sample template to give you a general overall, step-by-step idea of the Resource Family Requirements and Assessment Process to be able to foster a child. This process is also very similar to the Adoption process, or to become a Special Home. 

All of our families start with an inquiry of some sort. Whether it’s our website, social media, or a phone call, we’d love to hear from you! From your initial inquiry, we then schedule an Info Meeting with you. We understand that as much as this is an exciting time for your family, it can also be very daunting. At ICA, we want you to know we are here for you to walk with you through every step of the way.

Info Meeting

Our Recruitment Team will set up a date and time to host an Info Meeting that will present to you a brief description of ICA, its programs, and its processes. We encourage our attendees to attend this meeting and to be open to hearing all about ICA. During this meeting, we encourage you to ask questions and to jot down any items during the presentation that may interest you.

ICA Application

Once you decide to proceed further, we extend to you the ICA Application and ask you to complete the application before the next step. The application is at no cost to you and no obligation.

During this process, you are asked to procure a Background Check, Live Scan, and a few other various Releases.

Meet & Greet

Next, once your application is reviewed, A Social Worker or Supervisor from ICA will schedule a time to meet with you. This normally includes a brief, preliminary interview and a review of ICA Policy, Procedures, Programs, and next steps in the assessment process.

Please keep in mind, up to this point you are not fully accepted until we receive your Background Check and finish out the next steps.

Resource Family Approval Orientation

Our Social Worker or Supervisor will review with you the Resource Family Approval Program, the requirements of the family, and review the physical environment of the home. You will then receive your Training Packet and learn how Training works. Currently, each ICA Resource Family is required to complete anywhere from 32-40 hours of training. These can include but are not limited to Live training, in person, via zoom, or pre-recorded, Online Trainings, and Self-Study Training. Next, you’ll be given some additional formal paperwork and this next set of paperwork is required for approval. These documents are compliant with CA state standards.

Assessment Interviews

Once done with paperwork, Social Worker or Supervisor schedules interviews for assessment. These are done at home, in-office, and via zoom. The amount of Assessment Interviews will vary from family to family. The Assessment Interviews are typically a combination of a preliminary walk-through of the home and include, but are not limited to a Joint Interview, Individual interview, Family interview, Child interview.

Home Inspection

Social Worker or Case Aide will schedule a date and time with you to complete the first Home Health and Safety Assessment. A follow-up or multiple follow-up Home Inspection(s) are required and will be scheduled at a later time. Please keep in mind, the number of Home Inspections may vary from case to case.

Social Worker Writes Assessment

Social Worker or Supervisor will write an assessment of your family up to this point of all the items received. This assessment will then be given to the supervising Director for their review of the family and initial final approval.

Supervisor/Director Assessment Approval

Supervising Director will read the Social Worker’s Assessment and give their final approval before submitting to the counties for their final clearances.

ICA RFA Qualification Process

Once Director has given their RFA Qualification approval of the family, we will then send to the counties for their clearance.

Waiting for Placement

Once RFA approved and given the counties’ clearances, you are in the waiting phase for placement, or matching phase. A Social Worker will be in contact with you in regards to the specific children in need and a prayerful placement may take place. Please keep in mind, this waiting phase has no timeframe. It could be a short waiting phase or a lengthy timeframe. It’s all dependent on the needs of the child that come into ICA’s care and if your family “matches” with what this child needs.

Ongoing Support & Services

ICA supports our families from the very beginning and throughout your placement. We offer ongoing support and services via our Child Trauma & Learning Center. Our Child Trauma & Learning Center offers services like Counseling, Mentors, Tutoring, and Respite Care. All services are based upon availability so please reach out to us if you’d like to schedule appointments for any of our support services.

Yearly Parent Training

ICA requires our Resource Families to continue training annually. Each family will initially start with 35 hours of Trauma Training. Then, you will be required to maintain 15 hours of training annually.

*Final notes & disclaimers: RFA approval through ICA does not guarantee child placement in your home. There is also no timeline we can give from start to placement due to each situation having its own variables and waiting periods. We will do our due diligence to continue to communicate throughout the entire process and please do not hesitate to reach out to ICA if you have questions during RFA Process.