The foster care provider has a duty to provide for the day-to-day care of the child who is under the custody of the state. The provider must also cooperate with the goals of the placement plan. The overriding goals of foster care services are to correct the circumstances that led to placement, and to reunify the child and the parents if the child will be safe in their care and if reunification is in the best interest of the child.
The responsibilities of a relative foster care provider are held to the same standards as those of a non-relative foster parent. They are to provide the children with a safe home, nourishing meals, appropriate clothing, and adequate accommodation such as a separate bed for each child, though not necessarily a separate room. Foster parents, whether related or not, must provide a warm, nurturing environment with guidance and supervision that responds to the child's individuals needs. Regular meeting attendance with the resource social worker is a requirement. Any relevant developments that may affect the child must be shared with the child's worker.
In some states, the county agency will have general authority over the care of the child in state placement. The placement plan will specify decisions that will be made by the county agency and decisions that require consent of the parent or the court. If the matter is in court, the court has ultimate decision-making power over the child. This includes authority to return the child to the parents or to move the child to another home. The court may order the agency to arrange visits for the parents, therapy for the child, and other services that the child needs. The relative foster parent must comply with the court orders and ensure that the child is available for appointments and for visitation with the parents.
You may find state-by-state fact sheets of resources at:
http://www.grandfactsheets.org/state_fact_sheets.cfm
