Public Consulting Group highlighted dedicated and talented foster care staff as one of many strengths of Norfolk’s foster care program
NORFOLK, VA – After a thorough review of Norfolk’s foster care program, Public Consulting Group (PCG) has found no major areas of concern regarding the safety of the children in the care of the agency.
Norfolk hired Public Consulting Group, a nationally recognized organization, to provide an independent assessment of the city’s foster care program. The assessment took place over two months, in October and November 2019. PCG reviewed 20 foster care case files of children in the custody of Norfolk Department of Human Services. In addition, PCG interviewed city staff members and community stakeholders, including court personnel, service providers, foster parents and foster youth.
PCG highlighted many strengths of Norfolk’s foster care program. Some include:
- Collaborative teamwork and regular staff meetings
- 98 percent success rate in conducting monthly visits with children in foster homes
- Low number of children in group care
- Strong community partnerships
PCG found that Norfolk’s foster care program experiences struggles that are similar to those of other localities. The assessment listed recommendations for improvement. Some include:
- Hiring additional administrative staff to support family service workers
- Increasing pay to align with other agencies
- Decreasing the number of case transfers among staff members
- Involving youth in case planning process
The department already has implemented many of PCG’s recommendations. Those include hiring additional staff members, realigning staff resources to increase administrative support for each foster care team, and providing more intensive and routine secondary trauma training for staff members and foster parents, as well as regular crisis debriefing, mentorship and support group activities. Staff members are developing additional training and hands-on activities to help foster care staff members engage and incorporate youth in their case planning process.
Read Public Consulting Group’s entire report online at https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/59449/2019-Norfolk-Foster-Care-Assessment