Customer Connection 704-336-3000
Mission Statement:
"To provide top-notch training and consultation services to foster, adoptive, and kinship placement providers and the DSS staff who serve them."
We are excited to announce the Teen Health Connection will be presenting valuable information about the Independent Psychological Assessment. Click here for more information.
Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard training
The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard allows foster parents to give their foster children permission to do age-appropriate activities that promote cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral growth. All states are now required to promote normalcy for children in foster care.
Click here for the training
Multiethnic Placement Act 101 (MEPA) Training for Foster Parents
In order to receive credit for completing the MEPA training, foster parents will need to complete the related survey/quiz, which can be accessed through the following link.
TIPS-MAPP: An Overview for KINSHIP caregivers
TIPS-MAPP is an evidenced-based curriculum required in order to become a licensed caregiver for youth in DSS custody. Mecklenburg County is excited to offer this pre-service adapted for kinship providers. Click here to learn more about what you will learn in each session and the benefits of pursuing licensure. Check back regularly for more details.
"EDUCATION is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
Foster Parent Spotlight:
Pam Jolley has been a foster parent with Mecklenburg County DSS for over two years. Though she has not been with the agency for very long, the actions that she has taken on behalf of the children in her care have had great impact. Ms. Jolley's most recent placement involved providing care for a toddler with significant medical needs. This particular child had several moves as they had some illnesses that other foster parents just hadn't been able to handle. Ms. Jolley was able to do so. Not only was she wonderful with the child, but she also EXCELLED at shared parenting with the child's father. Due to the child's frequent illnesses, Ms. Jolley and the father coordinated their schedules in such a manner that caused neither of them to have to take significant time from work and other obligations, and truly embodied the spirit of shared parenting in their joint provision of care for this child. When the child was reunified with their family, Ms. Jolley had a cook-out at her home for the child and family to celebrate the child's return home. This gathering provided the opportunity for the formation of additional connections among the extended families of all involved, supported a smooth transition for this child, and increased the informal support network available to the child and family. Mecklenburg County DSS proudly salutes Ms. Jolley for a job well done!
Lending Library... We are EXCITED to announce that we have featured books in our lending library. Click here to view the featured books. We will be adding additional books in the future. Please contact your L& P Social Worker or RDTrainers@mecklenburgcountync.gov to request a book.
Mecklenburg County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
Fostering Perspectives Newsletter
National Foster Parent Association
As part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma offers Free Online Education with:
nSORO Foundation College Prep Programs & Scholarships for foster care youth
Child Welfare Information Gateway
AARP
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF)
Generations United
Barriers to “Claiming” an Older Child in Adoption.
The Donaldson Adoption Institute
NC Reach (scholarship information for foster care youth)
Child Welfare Information Gateway-Normalcy for Children in Foster Care
Parenting the Sexually Abused Child.pdf