Saying they recognize the unique challenges posed by caring for more than 400 FLDS children in state custody, the Texas child protection agency has drafted a four-page "Model for Care" to guide foster-care facilities and individual providers.

The document, posted on the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services' Web site at www.dfps.state.tx.us, advises that "every effort must be made to understand, respect and incorporate their religious beliefs as much as possible, as the children are gradually introduced into the mainstream culture."

The guide cites news reports from CNN and AP and the state's own witness, Dr. Bruce Perry, addressing the concern that if the children remain in state custody that "there have to be exceptional elements in place for these children and their families."

Perry, in testimony offered during the April 17-18 "adversary" hearing in San Angelo, said he didn't believe a traditional foster-care setting would be appropriate for the FLDS children — and in fact would be destructive.

The state then took steps to advise its selected foster-care providers by issuing the document as well as a "cultural awareness" guide.

In the Model for Care, numerous guidelines are suggested for providers. Under "Basic Placement and Care Recommendations," the guide advises:

• FLDS children should be housed together and segregated from other children at the facility. The separation should be maintained for several weeks, with gradual introduction of interaction between groups.

• Staff should be prepared for possible prejudicial comments and attitudes and not take them personally. Staff should address these issues slowly and gently with children.

• Allow for practice of religious beliefs, including prayer time and singing of hymns. Allow for appropriate privacy, but be aware that respectful adults may observe and interact, and this can be an opportunity to bond with them.

• Be aware of their culture of communal living and acting as a group; this can be an asset at times, but they will also need gradual guidance in independence and decision-making.

• When discipline is needed, be aware of the potentially harsh practices children may have experienced and their belief that obedience is important from a religious perspective as it relates to their favor with God and their eternity.

Under an education setting, the guide advises that providers should use a "home school model" for on site-education early on and to be prepared for wide gaps in "knowledge and academic skill," especially in the areas of social studies and history.

As for therapy, the document recommends that the initial focus needs to be on adjusting to the separation from their home and family and efforts to help children "make sense of the situation and cope."

Therapists are also advised to offer validation for the positive aspects of the "culture, parents' and children's love for each other and their faith as strength in difficult times."

Children should be helped with self-esteem, guilt feelings, shame and confusion about mainstream culture.

Finally, the guide notes, "Help them think through any confusion that results from the confrontation between what they have been taught about the outside world and what they are experiencing first hand."

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E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com