1. Normalcy in New Mexico January 2016

2. History of Normalcy Laws in foster care Florida 1 st state to implement laws to safeguard Normalcy in foster care The “Let Kids be Kids” law went into effect July 1, 2013 Four other states have implemented normalcy laws with similar language: -California - Ohio -Utah - Washington

3. Groundbreaking federal law The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014. Designed to promote well-being and normalcy for youth in foster care Premise is that children in foster care can have age appropriate experiences Rests on “Reasonable and Prudent parent Standards”

4. Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standards Legally supported principle that allow for foster parents to : Be able to make decisions carefully, weighing the benefits and potential risks to the children Come to sensible parental decisions of what is in the child’s best interest without unnecessary involvement from case management or judges Be supported by the system in making the kinds of decisions that will create more normalcy for the children in their care

5. CBC of Central Florida embraced and implemented in 2008 We refused to continue to allow rigid and outdated laws, as well as unfounded fears, to continue to steal childhoods from the children we serve Created an internal culture that supports foster parents and case managers that are committed to the child’s best interest Internal culture also promotes “out of the box” thinking from staff and foster parents on ensuring normalcy for our kids Changed all agency dialogue to include: - “Every child, every day - “Don’t say NO before you Know” - “What’s good for the child is good for us”

6. Normalcy on a continuum Beginning Currently working towards No children’s belongings in trash bags ever Cell phones and driver’s licenses Normalizing the experiences of the LGBTQ youth in care DatingSleepovers Part-time jobs

7. Here in New Mexico Policies expect the Foster Parent to: Consider the child (desires, culture, age, maturity) Determine appropriateness, know child and help them develop Know court and case terms and status of parent Not do anything permanent Provide a family-like environment Know the child’s rights (bill of rights, ADA)

8. How you can begin the two-step towards normalcy for the children in your care 1.Decide to work as Co-parents 2.Decide, as a whole, that not only will you continue to work tirelessly to ensure safety, permanency and well-being, but that you will also join the fight to restore the once in a lifetime gift of a childhood to the children you serve - Once you have all committed to that, the rest falls in place

9. Key factors Support and empowerment of foster parents in their roles as “parents” – we are all Co-parents Agency implementation of reasonable and prudent parent standards in policies surrounding normalcy – kids, not forms Removal of liability for foster parents – Risk is normal Become champions for change – It’s a long road, get started

10. Let’s Talk Glen Casel 321-230-4124 glen.casel@cbccf.org