Welcome to the CFSA Resource Parent Community!
Whether you are new or experienced as a resource parent, we value you for nurturing children who are temporarily separated from their parents or caregivers. To help you get started as a licensed, DC resource parent, we’ve created this chapter-by-chapter DC-specific Resource Parent Handbook especially for you! Please see all the updated, individual chapter links below.
If you are finding this page on the CFSA website, we encourage you to expand your horizons! Visit www.fosterdckids.org for additional information on your journey – you can also access the handbook on the FosterDCKids site. For password information, please contact [email protected].
Table of Contents
Pre-Service Training - Licensing
Reasonable and Prudent Parenting
When Children Join Your Family
Kinship Care – Maintaining Connections
Healthy Horizons Assessment Center - Onsite Health Care Support
Child Safety and Development - Stages through the Ages
Team Members - It Takes a Village
Family Time – Visitation Between Parent and Child
Resource Parents as Permanency Resources
We welcome your feedback!
If you have comments or suggestions or if you have any questions or concerns, please tell your assigned resource parent support worker or email [email protected]!
NOTE: While CFSA does not license Mayland homes, there is still plenty of useful information in the DC Resource Parent Handbook. Please be sure to request additional information on Maryland-specific guidance from your Maryland licensing agency!
Need Immidiate Help with a Child or Youth?
Contact these Emmergency Services
Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS)
ChAMPS is a community-based, emergency response service for children, teenagers and adolescents who are having a mental health or behavioral health crisis. ChAMPS provides emergency interventions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need help with a child or youth’s psychiatric emergency, call ChAMPS at (202) 772-4300 for assistance.
REACH (Recruit, Engage, Advocate, Collaborate, Help) Support Hotline
The REACH Resource Parent Support Hotline provides after-hours support when resource parents need help with a child or youth’s escalating behaviors. Two dedicated resource parent support workers (RPSWs) staff the REACH Hotline on weekdays between 5 pm and 12 am, and on weekends and holidays between 2 pm and 12 am. If you’re confronted with a challenging situation, remember to use the REACH Support Line at (833) 443-3775 for assistance.