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Regardless of their assigned duties, all child welfare social workers have a role to play in shared parenting. It is important that the social worker who is involved in the removal of the child begin the conversation with birth and foster parents by sharing the philosophy behind Shared Parenting. Additionally, it is important that licensing social workers continue to discuss shared parenting with foster parents even before they have a placement. These discussions will help reinforce the emphasis placed on shared parenting taught within the MAPP-GPS training for foster parents.
Counties may assign different social workers to facilitate the first shared parenting meeting. Though a social worker facilitates the initial shared parenting meeting as well as may have facilitated additional ones, ideally shared parenting will have eventually evolved into a true partnership relationship. One can not always assign time frames for when continued contacts take place between the birth parents and foster parents when there is a developing partnership relationship between all parties involved. A good preparation and solid foundation building can have lasting results. As the relationship between the foster and birth parents evolves, it is important for the social worker to remain aware of how the relationship is evolving. Document information provided by the birth and foster parents that describes their relationship and level of contact they have been able to maintain outside of any social worker facilitated meetings. Also, utilizing the MRS Case Tracking Form (DSS-5106) can help with tracking the date and time spent conducting shared parenting meetings.
In addition, the social worker’s role includes being available as a resource to assist both the foster and birth parents with any questions or concerns that arise related to the shared parenting partnership and or to the agency’s progress toward permanency for the child. Focusing on the strengths of shared parenting to work toward positive outcomes for the child will occur more naturally as time progresses.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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