So you want to adopt, how does the ISP fit into that goal?
The Individualized Service Plan (ISP) is an ordinary part of every child’s case plan that comes into foster care. The ISP is facilitated by the Department and usually takes place at the DHR Office (although there is no requirement for the ISP to take place at the DHR Office). All stakeholders are invited to the ISP, including the legal parents, any interested relatives of the legal parents, the legal parents’ attorneys, the DHR case worker, the DHR attorney, the Guardian ad litem, CASA, the foster parent, and the foster parents’ attorney.
Every child in foster care has a primary and concurrent permanency plan. In order for DHR to lock into adoption, the permanency plan needs to change to “adoption by current foster parent.” Without that stated plan, the DHR engine isn’t moving in the direction of adoption.
The first thing the foster parent should identify is their goal for the ISP. Each of the stakeholders will have their own goal for the ISP, so it’s important for the foster parent to think about this ahead of time instead of just reacting to whatever is proposed in the ISP meeting. For best practice, the foster parent will put their goals for the ISP team in writing and distribute that document to all members of the ISP team.
This document is called the ISP Agenda Letter. In some cases, it may be beneficial to circulate that letter to some of the friendly players ahead of time. When drafting your ISP Agenda Letter, keep in mind that brevity is best. This document should not be more than one page. It should usually not have more than three items. Your ISP Agenda Letter should be organized around these action items. It’s best to have these stand out in bold font.
Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early for the ISP meeting. It’s amazing how much diplomacy happens before the meeting even starts. At some point prior to the commencement of the meeting, pass out your ISP Agenda Letter, asking if the team can talk through each of these points during the ISP. If you have spent the time and energy to build consensus with the DHR case worker, CASA, and Guardian ad litem before the meeting, you will not ordinarily get much push back to talk through your letter.
On the other hand, don’t be surprised if the ISP meeting turns contentious. Keep your cool – maintain a calm and gentle demeanor. You can not force the Department to do anything – all you can do is attempt to persuade. If the Department is unwilling to incorporate one or more of your points into the ISP plan, it’s okay. There are other ways to advocate for your child. Remember the Proverb, “A soft answer turns away wrath,” and “By patience a ruler is persuaded.”
If you think something in the ISP plan is a bad idea for the child, you should graciously object. After you have kindly stated your objection and your reasons to the ISP team, simply ask the DHR caseworker to let the ISP document reflect your objection.
When the ISP ends, the DHR case worker should distribute copies of the final ISP document to everyone involved. Some counties are in the practice of telling parties that the ISP document will be distributed later via email. This is not best practice – it is not advised. Get a copy before you leave, and check it to make sure the contents are what was agreed to at the ISP – or objected to.
Lastly, after the ISP meeting, follow up with a handwritten thank you note to several of the team members that made the ISP possible. Well-placed gratitude can change the tenure of the case, which can change the destiny of your foster child.
If the permanency plan changes to adoption, then things are likely looking good for your child. This doesn’t mean that the Department will be filing TPR tomorrow, but it does mean that their policy is to start looking at the case differently. One helpful way to advocate from here forward is to ask, “How does this help the permanency plan?” (also keep in mind there is always a concurrent plan that must be worked simultaneously)
If you sense the Department is not acting consistent with their plan, you can intervene in the judicial case, become parties, and ask the court to hold the Department accountable to fulfill the duty.
For more information, contact us today.
Happy Advocating!
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