I
Rationale
Foster family care is considered the best substitute parental arrangement for children in need of temporary care due to abandonment, neglect and abuse.  The child is placed for a planned period of time to a licensed foster family and has its goal, the return or the reunification of the child with his/her biological family or relatives.

There are, however, instances where the child stays with his/her foster family for more than the planned period and sometimes even more than a year.  The reasons may be any of the following:

• Difficulty in locating the child ™s biological family
• The long process of declaring the child abandoned in court
• Difficulty in placing the child for adoption due to the child ™s age, sex or special needs In view of the child ™s prolonged stay, a foster family may apply to adopt their foster child to provide him/her a permanent family.  Thus, the need for this guidelines.
  

II
Policies

1.         A foster family may adopt a child under their care on the following conditions:

1.1    The foster child is legally free for adoption and not yet matched for adoption either domestic or intercountry;

1.2    The foster family is qualified to adopt;

1.3    Bonding between the foster child and the foster family exists and the separation from the foster family would be traumatic for the child;

1.3.1    A harmonious and happy relationship exist between the foster child and his/her foster family;

1.3.2    The children of the foster family, if any, accepts the foster child as their sibling;

1.3.3.   The foster child is accepted by the members of the foster family's extended family/relatives; and

1.3.4    The child has integrated well with the family and the community

2. A case conference shall be conducted focusing on the psychological and social functioning of the child and to ensure that adoption by the foster parents is the best option.

3. Same domestic adoption procedures shall be undertaken by the foster family.

4. The revised Foster Care Placement Authority (Appendix) shall allow the foster family to adopt their foster child only under conditions stated earlier.

For compliance.

Adopted: 11 Oct. 2000

(SGD.) LUWALHATI F. PABLO
Acting Secretary

Republika ng Pilipinas
KAGAWARAN NG KAGALINGAN PANLIPUNAN AT PAGPAPAUNLAD
Department of Social Welfare and Development
Region ______

FOSTER PLACEMENT AUTHORITY
Pursuant to Article 67 of the Child and Youth Welfare Code (PD 603) and Department of Social Welfare and Development Administrative Order No. 63, Series of 1993, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office No. ________ hereby authorizes the placement of ___________(Name of Child)_________ born on ___________________________ with Mr. and Mrs. _______________________________________ with Foster Family License No. __________ from ___________________ to ___________________ for the purpose of providing temporary care for __________ weeks/months while ________________________.

This foster care placement is subject to the following conditions:

1.         The foster care placement may be terminated earlier for the interest of the child.

2.         The foster family shall be responsible for the care, safety, medical attention and emotional well-being of the child.

3.         The foster family is not authorized to transfer this foster child to another family without prior written authority from undersigned, except in extreme situations when the life of the child is in danger in which case, authority shall be sought immediately.

4.         The foster family shall report about the situation of the child immediately or anytime to the assigned social worker, when problems arise related to placement of the child occur;

5.         The foster family shall be visited by the social worker at least twice a month to assess adjustment of the foster child with family and extend casework services to the family which will insure success of child ™s placement;

6.         Visits between the foster and biological parents or prospective adoptive parents shall be arranged by the social worker when indicated;

7.         The foster family shall encourage the foster child to relate with his/her biological or prospective adoptive family, as the case maybe, and shall provide the wholesome atmosphere to stabilize relationships;

8.         The foster parents may return the child to the Department of Social Welfare and Development even before the end of the dates stated herein depending on the assessment of the Social Worker.

9.         The foster family shall prepare the child for eventual separation for his/her return to his/her biological parents or for adoptive placement;

10.       Foster parent shall accompany the foster child to the court only when authorized in writing by the Department or the Executive Director as part of the court proceedings;

11.       The foster family shall not use foster care as a trial placement for adoption; however, they may adopt their foster child following the conditions under D.O. No. ___, Series of 2000;

12.       Monthly reports on the status of the child shall be submitted by the Social Worker to the DSWD Field Office;

13.       Such reports shall be reviewed by the DSWD Field Office to identify possible areas where case management and technical assistance to the NGO/DSWD Social Worker is needed.

CONFORME
We accept the responsibility and accountability stipulated in this license. As such we shall comply accordingly.

_______________________________	_____________________________
Foster Father	Foster Mother
_______________________________	_____________________________
Supervisor	Social Worker
Approved:
	_____________________________
	Regional Director

Date Issued: _______________
Ref. No.: __________________