The Contractor shall: 1. Recruit Foster Parents that: a. Can care for a diverse population of children of all ages. b. Live across the state of Utah and meet the geographical needs of the children in foster care; c. Create a Regional Recruitment Plan for each Region and diligently recruit Foster Parents who can meet the needs of the plans. The plans must include goals for how many homes are available in each community. d. Reflect the diversity of children for whom foster care is needed; e. Meet the needs of children in foster care; f. Actively support reunification and understand the importance of connection with family of origin; g. Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to serve children affected by trauma; and h. Meet the immediate and long-term needs of the children. I. Provide care for children who need a family based placement after being in a higher level of care. 2. Incorporate current local and national best practices in the development and application of foster care services, including best practices as defined by DHHS and the current United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. 3. Use consistent messaging to convey: a. Alignment with local and national best practices; b. The temporary nature of foster care; c. The critical role of foster parents; d. Foster parents’ role as supports to parents for reunification; and e. Adoption as a secondary role of Foster Parents only if reunification services are not used or successful. 4. Educate local communities about the need for and critical role of Foster Parents by developing outreach strategies;
