Foster Care Glossary
The foster care system has a lot of jargon. We're breaking it down into plain language. No bureaucratic nonsense — just clear definitions of the terms you'll encounter.
Home Study
An in-depth assessment process where a social worker visits your home, interviews family members, and evaluates your readiness to foster. It's not a test you can 'fail' — it's meant to ensure you have the support and preparation you need. Typically takes 3-6 months and includes background checks, references, and multiple home visits.
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Licensing / Certification / Approval
These terms are used interchangeably and mean the same thing: official approval to foster children in your state. Once you complete training and the home study, you become a 'licensed foster parent.' Some states say 'certified,' others say 'approved.' Same thing.
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Pre-Service Training
Required classes you take before becoming licensed. In Pennsylvania, this is at least 40 hours of instruction covering trauma-informed care, child development, discipline, and working with biological families. Sometimes called PRIDE training or MAPP training.
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PRIDE Training
Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education — a specific type of pre-service training program used by many agencies. Covers the same core topics required by PA law.
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MAPP Training
Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting — another type of pre-service training program. Like PRIDE, it meets Pennsylvania's 40-hour requirement.
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Private Agency
A non-profit or for-profit organization licensed by the state to recruit, train, and support foster parents. Private agencies often provide more personalized support, smaller caseloads, and specialized services compared to county agencies. In PA, you can choose to work with a private agency OR the county.
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County Agency / State Agency
The government-run child welfare department in your county or state. In Pennsylvania, this is typically called Children and Youth Services (CYS). You can foster directly through the county, or work with a private agency that partners with the county.
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CUA (Community Umbrella Agency)
Philadelphia-specific term. A CUA is a private agency that contracts with the city's Department of Human Services to provide foster care services. If you live in Philadelphia, you'll work with a CUA rather than directly with DHS. Think of it as a private agency network.
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DHS (Department of Human Services)
The state or city agency responsible for child welfare. In Pennsylvania, this is the statewide department that oversees foster care policy. In Philadelphia, DHS is the city's child welfare agency.
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CYS (Children and Youth Services)
Pennsylvania's term for the county-level child welfare agency. Each of PA's 67 counties has a CYS office responsible for investigating abuse/neglect reports, placing children in foster care, and overseeing cases.
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GAL (Guardian ad Litem)
A lawyer appointed by the court to represent the child's best interests during legal proceedings. The GAL advocates for what they believe is best for the child, which may differ from what the child wants or what the parents want.
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CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
A trained volunteer assigned to advocate for a child in foster care. Unlike caseworkers who manage many cases, a CASA volunteer focuses on 1-2 children at a time and provides consistent support throughout the case.
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Placement
When a child is moved into your home. 'We got a placement' means a child was placed with you. Placements can be emergency (same-day), short-term (days or weeks), or long-term (months or years).
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Respite Care
Short-term foster care, typically for weekends or school breaks, to give full-time foster parents a break. Respite is a great 'starter' option if you're not ready for full-time fostering. You help support other foster families while gaining experience.
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Emergency Placement
When a child needs a foster home immediately, usually due to a crisis (abuse report, parent arrest, etc.). You may get a call asking if you can take a child within hours. Emergency placements can become long-term or may be very short (days).
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Reunification
The primary goal of foster care: returning the child to their biological family once it's safe. About 45% of children in Pennsylvania foster care are reunified. As a foster parent, you'll often work WITH the biological family to support reunification.
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Biological Family / Birth Parents / Bio Parents
The child's parents or family members. Foster care aims to preserve family connections whenever possible. You'll often facilitate visits, phone calls, and support reunification efforts.
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Kinship Care
Foster care provided by relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings) or close family friends. Kinship placements are prioritized because keeping children connected to family is beneficial. Kinship caregivers go through the same licensing process as non-relative foster parents.
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Trauma-Informed Care
A parenting approach that recognizes most children in foster care have experienced trauma (abuse, neglect, loss, instability). Trauma-informed parenting focuses on safety, trust, and understanding behaviors as responses to trauma rather than defiance.
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Aging Out
When a foster youth turns 18 (or 21 in some cases) and 'ages out' of the system, meaning they're no longer eligible for foster care services. Many youth age out without permanent families, which is why adoption and long-term support are critical.
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Adoption
Permanently becoming a child's legal parent. If reunification isn't possible and parental rights are terminated, the child becomes available for adoption. About 10-15% of foster children in PA are adopted by their foster families.
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Background Check / Clearances / Fingerprinting
Required criminal and child abuse background checks for all adults living in the home. In Pennsylvania, you'll need FBI fingerprinting, PA criminal history check, and PA child abuse clearance. These are standard and required by law — not a judgment of you.
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Disruption
When a foster placement ends unexpectedly before the case plan is complete (not due to reunification or adoption). Disruptions happen — they don't mean you failed. Sometimes a child's needs exceed what your family can provide, and recognizing that is responsible, not shameful.
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