Every possible effort is made for the placement to be successful. It is important to clarify what a successful placement is: a successful placement would be for a child to come into your home and grow, develop, and mature (just as we hope for our own biological children).  Plus, and this is key, the youth “stays with you” until such time as their Permanency Goal is complete (Permanency Goals include things such as: Return to Parent; Adoption; Emancipation; Relative Placement; to name a few).  In short, our hope/goal/prayer is that the youth starts—and finishes—their time in foster care with the foster parent they begin with.

In regard to it not working out: If situation(s) arise that simply cannot be worked out (every attempt has been made by all), or safety is a real concern, the foster parents have agreed by contract to notify the agency of their intent for the child to be removed from their home.  Upon notification to the agency, the child will remain in the foster home for two more weeks (unless a new placement is found before that time frame ends).  The reason for the “two-week notice” is that the child must have a home to go to.  It is not easy to find placement for children—especially on short notice.  The two-week notice gives opportunity to find the best possible fit for the child, and to help increase opportunities for success.