What are the legal obligations of a foster parent to a child?

In California, foster parents have certain legal obligations to the children in their care. Foster parents are tasked with providing a safe, nurturing, and secure environment for their foster children as well as meeting the child’s physical, psychological, and emotional needs. They must also respect a child’s rights to privacy, as well as to reasonable discipline. Foster parents must meet all the requirements mandated by the state, including a yearly physical exam and state-mandated trainings. They must also adhere to all laws and regulations, such as the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, which requires that foster parents report any suspected or known abuse or neglect immediately to local authorities. Foster parents must also ensure that the child remains in touch with his or her birth family, except in cases where it would be harmful to do so. Foster parents also have an obligation to ensure that the child is enrolled in an appropriate school and that all of his or her educational needs are met. Foster parents must also provide support for any special needs the child may have, including medical, mental, or emotional needs. They must promote the child’s cultural identity as well as provide access to appropriate recreational, cultural, spiritual, and social activities. Lastly, foster parents must ensure the child has access to all necessary medical services.

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What are the legal obligations of a foster parent to a child?

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