We Want to Hear from You!

The Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard is part of 2014 Federal legislation designed to empower foster parents to provide a “more normal” childhood experience for children placed in their home. It sets an expectation of normalcy and respect for foster parents as well.

In 2016, New York passed legislation that required foster parents to receive training about this Standard in order to be held harmless from liability for decisions made under they make. Prior to this, there was not such protection.The Coalition partnered with the New York Public Welfare Association to get this language passed.

The Coalition has developed an interactive facilitated training for foster parents. It is designed to complement the video developed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). This training has been offered at several locations around the state, including at local departments of social services, foster care agencies and parent support groups. Training is available free of charge to groups upon request.

As the Coalition has gone around the state offering training, many attendees have shared that they did not receive any other training about the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard, that they have been given incorrect information and/or told that their agency doesn’t follow all or part of the law.

If you are a foster parent, we would like to hear from you. Have you received training from your agency? Were you told that your agency is not following all or part of the law? Are there contradictions? Did you understand your rights and roles after viewing the OCFS training video? Please take a few moments to complete our short survey. Your input will help us guide our advocacy as we press for change and adherence to the law.