Who can be a Foster Parent?
Almost anyone can foster.
You can be:
Single or Married
Working parents
Retired
A stay at home
mom
Already parenting
or have never
parented
You don't have
to be:
Rich, just with
enough income
to be able to care for the family you have now.
A homeowner,
simply have
a safe home/apartment with enough room for another child.
A stay at home
parent, just
flexible enough with work to meet the child's needs.
You do
need to want
to provide a nurturing, safe and loving environment to a child.
Who are the Children in Foster Care?
Children in foster care were removed from their families due
to abuse, neglect or abandonment. The child might live temporarily
with extended family, a foster family or in a group home while
social workers try to help the birth family. Then the goal for
a child is to work with the foster home to reunify the child
with their biological family.
If the birth
family's problems can't be resolved, the agency that has custody
of the child goes to court to legally terminate parental rights.
At this point, social workers try to find a safe and loving
adoptive family for the child. Ages range from 4 to early adulthood,
although the average age is eight. Virtually every race, ethnic
group and socio-economic category is represented. Some children
are in foster care alone and others are in foster care with
siblings. Those most in need of homes would be children over
the age of 10 and large sibling groups (3 or more).
Many foster children have been emotionally, physically, and sexually
abused. As a result, they may have emotional, behavioral, mental
or physical problems. Many are insecure, frightened, confused,
and often angry about what is happening to them. Based on their
past and the disruption in their lives, these children sometimes
present challenging behaviors.
Does it cost a lot of money to be a Foster Parent?
No! Foster parents receive monthly compensation per child and:
• The child or
children
are totally
covered for
medical and dental expenses.
• There is
a Resource
Room to assist
with placement
needs such
as school clothes.
• You receive
free specialized
training from experienced staff.
What is the difference between Foster Care and Adoption?
Foster care is the temporary care of a child whose goal is to
return home. Foster parents must be willing to support foster
children's ongoing contact with their biological parents and
cooperate with the agency's efforts to reunite them with their
families. The Foster parents' direct involvement with the birth
family is determined on an individual basis.
If reunification with their families is not possible the foster
parent is given the choice to proceed to adoption, or otherwise
prepare the child for their permanent home through adoption with
another family's help.
How do I become a Foster Parent?
The application/certification process is about a 3-4 month process.
There is a 10 session/36 hour training program which covers the
basic topics you will need to know to foster a child. CPR/First
Aid certification is required. There is also paperwork, and background
checks and references to gather. Then there is a home visit where
the worker goes over health and safety issues in the home and
discusses any questions you might have. A Home Study is written
that assesses the potential foster family and summarizes their
strengths, skills, attitudes and other qualifications that bear
on the challenges of foster parenting. If you are interested
in pursuing Foster Care, please call Lisa Barber 502-893-0241 x208 or e-mail .
How long will it be before a child is placed with me?
After your home has been certified, the amount of time it takes
to place a child with you is dependent on several factors. It
will be dependent on the range of ages, behaviors and special
circumstances you will consider. The more open you are to age
range, # of children and behavior issues, the more quickly a
child can be placed with you. Conversely if you are very specific
and narrow in these ranges it may take longer to find a child
who matches your criteria.
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Who decides what children are placed in my home?
It is a mutual decision between the agency and you. Having a child
come live with you is a big commitment, so finding the right match
is crucial. Children are placed in foster homes by matching their
needs with foster parents' or families' situations. You will never
be forced to accept a foster child you are not prepared to help.
You select the level of needs and age group of the children you
would like to foster.
In addition, much support is offered you and your family. You
will have a Foster Care Specialist who will be available 24/7
to help you handle any questions or deal with unexpected developments.
You and your child will have a therapist who will work with you
to help address the issues of loss, anger and behavior management.
In addition you are encouraged to attend support groups where
you can connect with and get help from other foster parents.
What is required of me as a Foster Parent?
In addition to
providing
a secure
and nurturing environment for the child or children placed in
your home, you will be expected to function as a member of the
child's team and advocate for the child's needs. There will
be documentation that you will be required to keep on a daily
basis. You will need to get further specialized training of
at least 24 hours per year (provided free by our agency). You
will need to renew your CPR/First Aid certification as it comes
due. You will need to remain calm, patient, and loving even
when the child expresses their anger or confusion in less than
socially acceptable ways. Foster Parents need to be able to
support the goal of reunification with the birth family until
and unless
it is changed to adoption.
Do all Foster Children have special needs?
Many of them do. Many are frightened and confused at the sudden
separation from their parents. Some are angry. Others may think
they are being sent to a foster home as punishment. These problems
gradually lessen, as a foster child comes to trust that you care
for him or her.
Can Foster Parents Adopt Children in Foster Care?
The first goal is to return foster children to their birth families,
whenever that is possible. However, sometimes it is not possible
for children to return home and no relatives can be found to
provide appropriate care. If the permanent plan for the child
becomes adoption and the child has been living in your home,
you will be given the first opportunity to consider becoming
the adoptive parent. Since our agency dually approves all homes
for Foster Care and Adoption, you will already have met all the
regular requirements for becoming an adoptive parent.
Won't it be hard on us when the Foster Child returns home or
is adopted?
Yes. That is the hardest part about being
a Foster Parent. You
will certainly feel sad for a time, and feel a loss. It is only
natural, since a part of that child will live in your heart forever.
Many foster parents find comfort and understanding from other
foster parents through support groups. Some foster parents find
comfort in the fact that there will be new foster children who
need their care and affection. Some foster parents feel satisfaction
at helping a family become whole again. But all must go through
a grief process.
Is St. Joseph Children's Home the right foster care agency for
me?
All agencies offer one or two things that will meet your needs
better than others. We are looking for families who are passionate,
committed, and want to foster or adopt because they feel called
to do so. St. Joseph Children's Home has been serving children
and families in Louisville since 1849. If you are looking for
an agency that believes in matching kids with families, an agency
that has extremely high standards and expectations from both
our staff and our parents, and an agency committed to supporting
our foster parents however possible, St. Joseph Children's Home
might be right for you. Becoming a foster parent requires a lot,
but the rewards and the supports are great.
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