IMPACT FCP Description & Requirements

The IMPACT FCP pre-service training addresses several areas that are required in establishing the basic skills and competencies needed to parent children placed in foster or adoptive care. These areas include the following:[/x_text]
The Fostering/Adoption Process
including supervision and safety issues for children in care; communication with the agency and other foster care partners; the judicial/legal process; discipline policy requirements and behavior management; cultural, ethnic and religious issues; supports for the resource family; an awareness of personal and family strengths/needs, and resources required to successfully foster/adopt; understanding the role of the resource family in concurrent planning.
Emotional/Cognitive/Behavioral Implications in Fostering/Adopting
Loss and attachment issues and techniques for intervention; the impact of placement on the cognitive functioning of children; family’s role in working with professionals in meeting the medical, psychological, educational, etc. needs of children; supporting the agency in moving a child into the appropriate level of care; the immediate and long term effects of placement on the resource family; the agency’s role in supporting collaboration between partners; recognizing and responding to emotional, psychological and bio-chemical disorders.
Sexuality and Sexual Orientation
sexuality as it relates to different age groups; recognizing and supporting children who have been victims of sexual abuse; supporting and responding to children who express sexual identity and sexual orientation issues; learning to recognize and avoid personal vulnerability to sexual maltreatment accusations and alleged overtures for sexual intimacy; expecting, recognizing, and coping with exaggerated sexualized behaviors.
Communication and Partnership
Defining the basics of communication patterns and the dynamics involved in communicating with partners; roles and responsibilities in initiating various types of communication; procedures to follow when communication is problematic; defining partnership and the various partners (e.g., resource families, agency staff, community agencies, faith based groups, biological/extended family members, professional resources, other resource families) involved in communication.
Identity and Cultural Issues
an examination of cultural, religious, ethnic and trans-racial factors impacting the placement and care of children, including the importance of cultural and ethnic identity; diversity; practical cultural and identity issues for resource families, including grooming, hygiene, customs, manners, social interaction, and dietary considerations.