Foster parenting - Options program

May 20 FREE TRAINING: Treating Young Children with Special Needs.

Options is special training for foster parents and relatives who are caring for infants, toddlers and young children exposed to drugs and alcohol. It includes a support program, education and training, follow-up services with the Options nurse, support groups and respite care.

Why is a special program necessary to provide care to these children?
Substance exposure in-utero increases a baby's risk of premature birth and low birth rate (with related complications), respiratory distress, neurological dysfunction, development delays, behavior problems, sleep disturbances, feeding difficulties, increased/decreased muscle tone and birth defects. Options-trained foster parents and relative care providers understand the effects of substance exposure and are better able to meet the needs of these special infants and toddlers.

Options-trained foster parents and relative care providers:

• Are county-licensed foster parents or are related to the child.
• Have completed an intensive training program on the care of substance exposed infants, toddlers and young children.
• Are able to undertake and accept the responsibility of caring for a child born exposed to drugs and/or alcohol.

Options infants, toddlers and young children:

• Are not able to stay with their parents for various reasons.
• Have parents who need treatment, training and support before they can resume responsibility for their child.
• May have medical problems or special needs that require a skilled care provider.
• May have few or no complications from substance exposure and simply need the nurturing, love and care that all babies require to grow and thrive.

Options training includes:

• Understanding addiction and recovery.
• Developmental effects on a fetus who is exposed to drugs and/or alcohol.
• Normal infant, toddler and young child development vs. development delays.
• Speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
• Care of substance exposed and medically fragile children.
• HIV, hepatitis and common diseases and disabilities.
• Behaviors of substance exposed children.
• Infant and toddler massage.
• Attachment and bonding.
• Community resources.
• Grief and loss.

The Options for Recovery registered nurse educates and trains people in the care of substance-exposed infants and medically fragile children to foster parents, relative caregivers and community care providers. She is an expert in:

• Normal and abnormal child development
• Substance abuse
• Prenatal and environmental substance-exposed children
• Prenatal effects of substance abuse
• Child welfare services
• Contagious and infectious sexually transmitted diseases

The Options nurse advocates for the caregiver and refers him/her to appropriate health care providers. If you have questions, contact Luella at 530-225-3880.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, contact Amber Middleton at 530-229-8287.