Hopefully, this FAQ will provide you with basic information that can assist you with any questions you may have regarding Orion Youth Services and what it takes to become a licensed proctor parent. If you have additional questions not covered here regarding becoming a professional proctor parent, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or visit with us at our office.  We value any input that you may have.  We would love to hear from you.

What is a Proctor Parent? 

You probably already have a good understanding of foster care and what it is to be a foster parent. Being a proctor parent is very similar. Proctor care is home-based residential care for youth. Proctor parents provide all the same services to youth as would a foster parent (i.e. a home family environment, nutritious meals, companionship, guidance and physical, social, and emotional care) A youth may be in a proctor home anywhere from a few months to a few years depending upon the needs of the youth and his/her family. Typically, a proctor parent will provide care to youth who are in the custody of the State Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) or the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS).

Who is Orion Youth Services?

Orion Youth Services is an entity of Colbren Management. We are licensed as a Child Placing Agency for home-based residential care in the State of Utah. We also have a contract with the DCFS and with DJJS to provide licensed proctor homes for youth in their custody. In addition to recruiting and training proctor parents, we provide therapy and tracking services to the youth.

In today’s world there are many assaults on the family unit. Poverty, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental and emotional illnesses can contribute to situations that result in the abuse and neglect of family members at home. When this happens, there is a need for placement of the children in a safe and supportive environment until the problems confronting the family are adequately addressed and safety can be assured. It is the philosophy of Orion Youth Services that every child deserves the right to live in a safe environment where their emotional, educational, and physical needs are being met. We understand the strong ties that children have to their immediate family members and believe that when possible, efforts need to be made to reunite children with their families

Can I Be Single and Be a Proctor Parent?

One of the primary duties of the proctor parent is to provide ongoing supervision to the youth placed in their care. A single individual or a single parent may certainly be a proctor parent, but must commit to being available for the youth as long as the youth is not in school. A proctor parent who works from home, or has a flexible work schedule and can work around school hours including summer vacation may qualify. Leaving the youth with a babysitter or entrusting the youth in the care of a family member or friend on a consistent basis is not acceptable.

What Youth Would I Expect To Be Placed in My Home?

Typically, the youth we place into proctor homes are boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17. We also have a growing need for those who are able to provide for youth transitioning into independent living, which would provide an independent dwelling adjoining the proctor parent’s home or separate but on the same property in order to allow for sufficient supervision. As all of these youth are under state custody and require structured care, some of them have suffered varying degrees of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma. These youth may have behavioral or conduct problems, or may have a history of substance abuse.

How Much Will I Get Paid?

The rate that is paid to Orion Youth Services is determined by DCFS and DJJS based upon the needs of each youth. We will pay our proctor parents accordingly. Since we are a high-cost placement agency, our professional parents are reimbursed more than what they would expect to receive from traditional foster care for their skills and expertise. Depending on the services provided, our proctor parents are paid between $25 and $30 per day. Under normal circumstances the amount we pay is $25.00 per day for each youth, each day the youth is in the home. Most parents will earn around $750.00 each month per youth. However, this amount may go up or down depending upon ongoing assessments. Orion Youth Services is very competitive in the amount that we reimburse our proctor parents as we believe that the proctor family plays the most critical role in the development and health of the youth. Payment is made monthly on or about the 25th of the month following the month of service. The payment you receive as a proctor parent should be considered as a reimbursement for your time and services including food, shelter, and any transportation needs for the youth.

What About a Youth Allowance?

Orion Youth Services provides the professional parent with a youth allowance of $2.00 per day (approximately $60.00 per month) for each day the youth is in the home. The professional parent and the youth meet together to budget and account for this money. Approximately $47.00 should be allocated each month for the purchase of clothing and other necessities. The remaining amount may be spent by the youth on entertainment and miscellaneous expenses. It is the policy of Orion Youth Services to pay upfront the pro-rated allowance amount to the professional parent when a child is first placed in a home.

Will I Be An Employee of Orion Youth Services?

            No, as a professional proctor parent you will actually be in business for yourself as a sub-contractor. You will enter into a contract and be licensed by Orion Youth Services. As a sub-contractor you will be expected to comply with the terms of the contract including state licensing standards, contractual requirements as a proctor care provider, and Orion Youth Services policies and procedures pertaining to proctor parents.

Will I Receive Free Training?

Yes. We are big on training and communication at Orion Youth Services. We cannot do our job without quality trained professional parents and we value their contribution and participation in meeting the needs of the child and family. All professional parents are encouraged to be involved as a clinical team member of the child’s individualized clinical team. Much of the training that you will receive will take place through this team process. Currently proctor parents are required by the state of Utah to receive at least 32 hours of training prior to providing direct care as a proctor parent. In order to facilitate this process, much of the training is written out in ‘training modules’ that you will be able to complete at home. Upon being licensed, proctor parents must complete 25 hours of yearly ongoing proctor parent training. Training is provided on a monthly basis and proctor parents are required to attend at least one training session per month in order to retain their license.

Will I Have Say On Who Is Placed In My Home?

          Absolutely! We will not attempt to make any placement of a child without the full consent of the professional parent(s) based upon an informed decision. We believe that the professional parents must have the right of refusal before the placement of any child in their home. We also believe that as professional parents, you have a need to know of any behavioral, psychological, physical or emotional factors regarding the child that may influence your decision to bring the child into your home.

How Long Does This Process Take?

          The licensing process may be completed in as little as 6-8 weeks. Delays in the background screening process or completion of the forms and paper work may cause this to take longer. Once you have become licensed, we cannot guarantee when or if you will have a proctor youth placed in your home. There is no pool of youth waiting for a proctor home. Most youth are placed into a qualifying proctor home immediately once they are in state custody. Certain factors including geographical, safety, or your own preferences will affect when or if a youth is placed in your home.

Are There Special Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent?

        Yes, the Utah Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Licensing does have several specific requirements of individuals wanting to become proctor parents.  These include:

·         Proctor parent applicants (and persons 18 years of age or older living in their home) will need to successfully complete a criminal background screening (CBS) and will also be checked against the State child abuse and neglect licensing data base as well as Safecheck. The CBS includes digital finger printing which will be conducted through Livescan at DCFS offices. 

·         Applicants must also be eligible for employment in the State of Utah.

·         A proctor parent must already be receiving a steady income sufficient to meet the needs of his or her family. What you receive as a professional parent should only be supplemental income.

·         Applicants must understand and abide by the DHS Provider Code of Conduct.

·         Applicants must be physically able to care for the needs of children placed in their home.

·         All Proctor parents are required to be CPR & first aid certified. 

·         Our proctor youth must be guaranteed a smoke-free environment. Orion Youth Services strictly forbids any smoking in or around a proctor home. 

·         Our parents must provide a safe and clean home and room that meets or exceeds the standards of the Utah Admin code R501-12 for proctor care. Proctor youth will be provided with their own bed. 

·         For one child, the bedroom must be at least 80 sq. ft. in size. For each addition child, the room must be at least an additional 60 sq ft.  

·         Utah law requires that all proctor parents be married couples or single individuals 21 yrs of age or older. Utah law also prohibits “a person or persons who are cohabiting in a relationship that is not a legally valid and binding marriage under the laws of this state” to be a proctor parent. Married couples are required to submit a copy of their marriage certificate.  

·         Proctor parents must have a valid driver license and auto insurance policy that is not less than $100,000 per person and $300,000 for each accident/occurrence.

OK, So How Do I Get Started?

            That’s easy.  To get started simply fill out and return the INITIAL APPLICATION FORM.    The form is designed to allow us to know of your interest and what preferences you may have, as well as some demographic information that we will need to know in order to license you as a foster parent.  You may print the form and return it to us by mail, or you are welcome to fill out the document on your computer and send it to us in an attachment by e-mail to colbren2@hotmail.com. 

Once we have received your information, we will contact you by phone in order to discuss any additional questions you may have and to provide you with specific information regarding the requirements of a foster parent as well as the forms that you will need in order to complete the application for licensing and sub-contract process.