“ A Strategy to Propagate Foster Care Service”
Aruga at Kalinga sa mga
Bata sa Barangay
(Foster Care in the Barangay)
Ms. Cynthia N. Armenio
Social Technology Bureau
Outline of Presentation
I. Legal bases in Developing Social technologies
II. Children In Need of Special Protection
III. Government Response
IV. Child Protection Programs and Services
V. Foster Care Service
VI. Strategy to Strengthen and Propagate Foster Care
Service
VII. Call for Action: Aruga at Kalinga Implementation
VIII. Milestone in Foster Care
I. Legal Bases in developing Social Technologies
Redirected the functions of the DSWD from direct service to technical assistance and to serve as the lead agency and authority in the formulation, development and promotion of national social welfare and development(SWD) policies, plans and programs
Section 3 of EO 292 provided the mandate of the Department to formulate, develop and implement, plans, programs and projects in the field of social welfare development, This EO ensures effective implementation of programs for public and private social welfare services
Chapter 1. Section 3, items of the local Government Code cited that the capabilities of the local government units (LGUs) to develop innovative social welfare and develop programs to respond to the needs of local constituents shall be enhanced by providing them with opportunities to participate actively in the implementations of national programs and projects
III. Children In Need of Special Protection (CNSP)
(CNSP)
Source: CPCP, 2012-2016
Categories
Estimate
Children w/o Parental Care and at risk of losing parental care
4-6 million
Working Children
Trafficked Children
Children in Pornography
5.5. Million
248 ( 2009)
3 (2009)
8,000
Child victims of violence, physical, sexual abuse
Children living or working on the streets
246,000
Source: CPCP 2012-2016
Estimate
Children and young people in drugs and substance abuse
3.4 million
Children in Conflict with the law
Children in situation of emergency Armed Conflict
Children with disabilities
18,277 (2006-2011)
50,000 displaced annually
190,000 annually
192,000
Unregistered children
Children belonging to minorities and indigenous peoples
2.6 million
Armed Conflict
Natural disasters
5-7 million
Categories
I. International Instrument
III. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
The Philippine government is a State Party to the 1989 UN convention on the Rights of the Child, which substantively set out civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the child.
Cont.. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
National Laws
1987
Constitution
Of the
Republic of the Philippines
1980’s
1990
2000
1970’s
RA 8043
RA 8552
RA 7610
RA 11222 AAP
RA 101 65, FC
RA 9523, DA
RA 9344, CICL
RA 7624, CL
RA 9775, Child Pornography
RA 9262, Anti VAWC
Legal Framework
CHILD 21
2000-2025
Child 21 is the over aching long-term framework that drive’s the countries vision
2nd NPAC sets the agenda towards the progressive realization of Filipino children and fulfillment of the Philippines to UN CRC and MDGs
The 3rd
CPCP is a companion document of the 2nd NPAC and is an elaboration of it’s child protection component
IV. CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The DSWD’s Child Protection Programs and Services
Defines as the Provision of Immediate interventions to a child below 18 years of age or over but is unable to fully Protect himself from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical
or mental disability or condition.
Community –Based Programs
- CIU, Alternative Parental Care Program, Livelihood program, PES, etc.
Center-based or 24 hour residential care facilities
RISK AND DANGER TO CHILDREN
of Residential Care Facility
Overcrowding in Residential Centers/Institutions indicate greater problems for abandoned children
Children in institution tend to have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships throughout their lives.
The younger a child is and the longer the stay in residential care, the more likely the child is to suffer long-term psychological difficulties.
Children in institutional care tend to have difficulty reintegrating into society.
CHILDREN
G
O
V
E
RNME
N
T
Residential
Care is more
costly
Lack of Trained
Staff
Limited
Resources
R
I
S
K
&
D
A
N
G
E
R
Source: DSWD MC 22, series of 2004; People Count, PLCPD Policy Brief
V. Definition of Foster Care
Refers to the provision of planned temporary substitute parental care to a child by a foster parent
One of the most nurturing and alternative placement for children
In need of temporary substitute parental care.
Source: RA 10165
VI. Strategy to Propagate Foster Care Service
Aruga at Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay (Foster Care in the Barangay)
Background
Challenges:
Project Goal:
To establish a model barangay showcasing a pool of foster parents providing a planned foster family care to abandoned, neglected children and other children in need of temporary parental care.
To promote foster care as the best substitute parental care arrangement for children in need of temporary care.
To develop and maintain a pool of licensed foster parents.
To decongest residential institutions for children.
Project Objectives
To involve LGUs in implementing foster care for children in the barangay.
Project Beneficiaries
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Implementing Procedures
Pre-Implementation Phase
1. Advocacy Activities/ Social Marketing of the Project
The DSWD Field Office shall conduct a project orientation during their Regional Social Welfare and Development Forum (SWD), City/Municipal League Meetings, and other venues to advocate for the replication of the project.
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2. Meetings/Orientation with Local Government Unit
Criteria for selection of partner LGU:
Criteria for selection of the target Barangay:
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2. Meetings/Orientation with Local Government Unit
Criteria for selection of partner LGU:
Criteria for selection of the target Barangay:
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3. Identification and Orientation with
Target LGU/ Barangay
LGU through the C/MSWDO shall identify the target barangay for the project implementation based on the criteria mentioned.
Once the target Barangay is identifies, the Local DSWD shall arrange a meeting with the Barangay Council to conduct an orientation/meeting on the project.
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4. Issuance of City/ Barangay Resolution and MOA Signing
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the partner LGU and barangay shall be forged by DSWD Field Office to formalize the working relationship, role delineations and commitment of every party involved.
The MOA signing shall take place in the target barangay and will be attended by the DSWD Director, Mayor and City council member, Barangay Chairman and Barangay Council members, LCPC/ BCPC members, C/MSWDO Officer, social workers, other key players of the project and people from the community
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4. Issuance of City/ Barangay Resolution and MOA Signing
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the partner LGU and barangay shall be forged by DSWD Field Office to formalize the working relationship, role delineations and commitment of every party involved.
The MOA signing shall take place in the target barangay and will be attended by the DSWD Director, Mayor and City council member, Barangay Chairman and Barangay Council members, LCPC/ BCPC members, C/MSWDO Officer, social workers, other key players of the project and people from the community
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5. Organization of Project Management Team
Project Management Team will be organized to manage the implementation of the project. The team shall be composed of social worker from P/C/MSWDO and a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) of the identified barangay and the DSWD FO Focal Person as head.
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Foster care forum shall be conducted in the identified barangay to orient them about the project and encourage families to support the project and provide awareness on the dynamics of children for foster care placement.
The forum shall be arranged by the BCPC and shall be conducted more than once or by batches in order to scout for more prospective foster parents for assessment.
Implementing Procedures
Implementation Phase
1. Conduct of Foster Care Forum
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LGU social worker shall conduct a home visitation to the families that signified interest to become foster families to assess their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual capabilities and home condition.
2. Recruitment/ Assessment of Foster Families
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5. Organization of Project Management Team
Project Management Team will be organized to manage the implementation of the project. The team shall be composed of social worker from P/C/MSWDO and a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) of the identified barangay and the DSWD FO Focal Person as head.
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Foster care forum shall be conducted in the identified barangay to orient them about the project and encourage families to support the project and provide awareness on the dynamics of children for foster care placement.
The forum shall be arranged by the BCPC and shall be conducted more than once or by batches in order to scout for more prospective foster parents for assessment.
Implementing Procedures
Implementation Phase
1. Conduct of Foster Care Forum
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LGU social worker shall conduct a home visitation to the families that signified interest to become foster families to assess their physical, emotional, financial, spiritual capabilities and home condition.
2. Recruitment/ Assessment of Foster Families
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REQUIREMENTS
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REQUIREMENTS
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If evaluation of the applicant’s capability to foster is favorable, the LGU social worker shall prepare the Home Study Report.
The LGU social worker shall forward the application together with the approved HSR to the DSWD Field Office for approval /disapproval. If the DSWD Director has noted areas for clarifications of the report, this will be returned to the C/MSWDO for revision and enhancement.
3. Approval/Disapproval of Foster Care Application
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If the application is approved, the LGU social worker shall inform the applicants and facilitate the signing of the FFCL by the applicant/s. Copy of the FFCL will be endorsed to DSWD Field Office for approval of the Regional Director.
The FFCL has a validity of three (3) years. The LGU social worker shall re-assess the family for the renewal of the license. The license may be earlier revoked or no longer renewed based on the LGU social worker’s assessment or upon request of the parent/s.
4. Issuance of Foster Family Care License (FFCL)
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DSWD Field Office shall provide training/orientation to licensed foster parents on understanding and management of children in need of special protection (CNSP) to enhance and develop their parenting capability.
Licensed foster parents who have had several years of experience caring for CNSP shall act as resource persons in sharing their parenting practices.
The LGU shall provide continuous training to foster parents at least once a year to enhance their knowledge, attitudes and skills in understanding, caring and handling children.
5. Conduct of Capability Building Activities
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The licensed foster parents shall be organized as foster parents support group. They will act as advocates of foster care service, conduct recreational activities for the foster children, assist in the recruitment of prospective foster parents and act as resource speaker to share their parenting experiences during foras, orientation and seminar on foster care.
6. Organization of Foster Parents Support Group
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The matching conference is a judicious pairing of the child with the licensed foster parent/s which is done on the basis of complimentary needs between them. i.e. the capacity and interest of the foster parent to meet the needs of a particular child and the capacity of the child to benefit from the placement.
This shall be conducted once a month or as need arises at the DSWD Field Office with the following members of the foster care committee: Division Chief or the official representative as chairperson, Center social worker of the child, LGU social worker of the foster parent/s, members of the BCPC, licensed foster parent and ARRU social worker as the secretariat.
7. Matching Conference
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A FPA shall be signed by the foster parent/s and social worker which shall be endorsed to the DSWD Field Office for approval of the Field Office Director.
The placement of the child with the foster parents shall only take place after the FPA is approved, except for cases of emergency, which shall be issued within five (5) working days from the time of placement.
8. Issuance of Foster Placement Authority (FPA)
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The LGU social worker shall meet all the foster Parent/s to inform them of the result of the matching and the child/ren matched to them. Individually, the foster parent shall be provided with the information of the child matched with them to help them understand and develop plans for the child while under their custody.
The center social worker shall orient the foster parent/s about the child. If possible, the venue of the orientation of the foster parents shall take place in the center where the children are housed for them to make initial visitation to their foster children before the actual placement .
9. Preparation of Foster Parent/s
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The center social worker shall prepare the child for his/her placement to the foster parent/s. Preparation of the child shall be consistent with his/her age, understanding and emotional maturity. An older child shall be helped to understand what foster care means and why he/she will be going to his/her foster parent/s.
Information and photograph of the foster parent/s shall be shared with the child.
The foster child shall be helped to understand the temporary nature of care and placement and that visits/contacts shall be made possible with the child’s family under certain conditions.
10. Preparation of Foster Child/ren
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After the child and the foster parent/s had been prepared and the documentary requirements are completed, the child will be physically transferred to the foster parents.
Physical turn-over of the child with the foster parent/s shall take place in a center, if the child is from residential facilities or at the local C/MSWDO office, if the child is rescued from the street/community.
11. Placement of the Foster Child with the Foster Parent/s
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After the child has been placed to his/her foster parent/s, the social worker shall help the foster parent/s, and the child in the adjustment process. This is done through monthly home visitation for at least six months of the placement and quarterly thereafter.
The primary goal of supervision of foster home is to ensure the proper adjustment of the child to his/her family and vice versa. Furthermore, the social worker shall follow-up the foster parent’s participation in the case management of the child towards the treatment and achievement of the set goals for the child.
12. Supervision of Foster Homes
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a. Return of the child to his/her biological family, extended family/relatives.
b. Placement for adoption
c. Referral to another foster parent/s or residential facility/institution, if problems arise under the care of the foster parents.
d. Placement is prejudicial to the welfare of the child
e. Death/ailment of the foster parent or other members of the foster family
f. Migration of foster parent/s
g. Transfer of residence from one province/city/municipality to another
h. Lack of time to care for the foster of the child.
13. Termination of Placement
Regular Foster Care
Aruga at Kalinga Sa Mga Bata Sa Barangay
Individual application/Recruitment of Foster Parent/s
Pool of at least 10 foster parents
Not necessarily in one geographical location
One geographical location in one or clustered barangays
No support group aside from family members
FP served as support group to one another
Foster Children interact with one another
More opportunities for capability building activities
With support and supervision of the Barangay
Active involvement of LGUs
More opportunities for children to experience a family life environment
Regular Foster Care vs Aruga
I. PRE-IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
REQUIREMENTS
Dialogue with LGU
Identification of Target Barangay
Issuance of City Council Resolution
MOA Signing
Organization of Project Management Team
Child Friendly; Functional LCPC, LDPC; Can draw participation and support from its civic minded residents; provide funds and staff for the project
Child Friendly; Functional BCPC; School; Day Care; Health Center, Play ground
Signed Resolution indicating fund support for the project institutionalization
DSWD; LCE; C/MSWDO Head; LCPC; BCPC; Community
DSWD FO –ARS Social Worker; P/C/MSWDO Social Workers; BCPC Member
PROCESS
Establishment of the Aruga Model
II. IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
REQUIREMENTS
Organization of Foster Parents Support Group
Matching Conference
Issuance of Foster Care Authority
Issuance of Foster Care License
Preparation of Foster Parents/Children
Sets of Officers; advocate of foster care service; support one another in caring for the foster children
DSWD –FO Foster Care Committee + LGU Social Worker; Secretariat – FO-ARRS
Approved FC Authority
Approved Foster Care License with 3 years validity
Profile of Foster Child; pictures of Foster Parents and Family Members
PROCESS
Establishment of the Aruga Model
II. IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
REQUIREMENTS
Placement
Supervision of Foster Homes
Termination of Placement
Post Placement/ After Care Service
Physical Transfer of the child; signed Acceptance Form from the Center
Progress Report on the Foster Child
Adoption placement; reunited with biological family; upon the request of foster parent
Visit of Social Worker; support services to the child and family
PROCESS
Establishment of the Aruga Model
III. POST – IMPLEMENTATION PHASE
REQUIREMENTS
Monitoring and Reporting
Periodic Evaluation
Impact Evaluation
LGU- Monthly Report ; DSWD –FO TA & Regular Monitoring; Quarterly report
Annually
5 years after the project implementation; basis for enhancement
PROCESS
Establishment of the Aruga Model
SUPPORT SERVICES
Subsidy of Foster Child
Subsidy of Foster Parent
Respite Care
Continuous Training
Rewards and Incentives
Other Incentives as stipulated in RA 10165
Plaque of Appreciation; non-monetary incentives
Phil-Health; Tax Exemption
One week break
800 – 1,500, depending on the IRA
8,000/month subject to increase
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
DSWD Central Office
Provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to the DSWD Field Offices in the implementation of the project;
PMB
Workshop (PREW) of the project.
E. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
DSWD Central Office
Marketing/Promotion of Project to LGU; Manage the project implementation during the 6-month transition period; provide augmentation funds to LGUs during the 6 months transition period, as necessary ; Assign one social worker
DSWD Field Office
Issue Foster Care License and Authority ; Submit Report to DSWD- Central Office; Regional PREW; Regional Assembly of Foster Parents
Forge a MOA with LGU; Provide Capability Building for LGU Social Workers, BCPC and Foster Parents DSWD Central Office
Cont…INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Local Government Unit
Enact resolution/s in support to the implementation and sustainability of the project thereby providing funds for the project institutionalization.
Assign one (1) social worker as project focal person to handle recruitment, monitoring, supervision of foster parents, conduct of advocacy and public dissemination of foster care service.
Conduct consultation meeting/advocacy with the Association of Barangay Captains to generate support.
Identify target Barangay for the project
Endorse approved foster parents to DSWD Field Office for issuance of foster care license.
Cont… INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Local Government Unit
Endorse approved foster parents to DSWD Field Office for issuance of foster care license.
Submit quarterly report on the project implementation and foster placement supervisory report to DSWD Field Office
Document good practices of the project
Manage the overall implementation of the project after the six (6)months transition period
Cont…INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Barangay Government Unit
Enact Barangay ordinance in support to the implementation of the project.
Assign one (1) member of the BCPC as focal person of the project
Assist in the conduct of foster care forum in the community & other related activity of the project
Assist in the recruitment of the prospective foster parents
Submit observation report or untoward incident on the foster parents/families
Participate during meetings, project assessment
Undertake other related tasks as may be necessary
VII. Aruga at Kalinga Implementation
Project Area: | Local Government of Muntinlupa City |
Barangay : |
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Target Clientele: |
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Period of Implementation: | 2005 - 2008 |
Aruga at Kalinga Implementation
Project Site
The Administrative Order 023-2011 - Guidelines in the Implementation of Aruga at Kalinga sa mga Bata sa Barangay Project (superseded AO 8, s. 2004)
The enactment of Foster Care Act of 2012” “An act to strengthen and propagate foster care for abused, abandoned, neglected and other children with special needs, providing appropriations therefore and for other purposes”
(Signed on June 11, 2012 by President Benigno S. Aquino)
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VIII. Milestone in Foster Care
LGU Role Per RA 10165-
Article. VII- Local Government Unit- shall promote the foster care system in their respective jurisdictions , Section 18
Sec. 19 Funding- The national government shall provide financial support, priority give to 3rd, 4rth and 5th and 6th class municipalities