When a child is placed with kin or fictive kin often the Family Unification Support Team (FUST) steps in to support the family in adjusting to all the changes that are occurring for the youth in placement and the family caring for the youth.
The staff on the Family Unification Support Team (FUST) begins working with families very quickly after a child is placed out of the care of their parents, typically with kin or fictive kin. Their urgency in work is to ensure that kin are set up to successfully care for the child or children. They assist with filing for financial support, understanding how to navigate school arrangements, bussing for school, understanding court orders, defining how the child welfare system works, and understanding the rights and responsibilities of youth, family and caregivers. The staff, from FUST, also assist families in assuring they have concrete items to meet the needs of youth they care for. Staff, from the FUST team, are responsible for explaining permanency options and assist with foster care certification if desired by the caregiver. The FUST staff can also make referrals for children and families they are working with.
Equally as important, staff from the Family Unification Support Team (FUST) also work with the parents of the children in placement to help them understand the child welfare system and link them with any services or supports that can jumpstart their progress towards reunification with their children. The staff from the Family Unification Support Team (FUST) can assist families with establishing visitation with their children as well as make referrals to preventive agencies to provide additional support to parents.
The Family Unification Support Team staff work diligently to support parents, caregivers, and children through difficult transitions with the goal of helping all parties have their needs met.
Resources for caregivers: