3. As a foster parent, what am I specifically expected to do?
4. Who pays for the care of the child?
5. How long will the child stay at my home?
6. Is there a choice of what type of child I get?
7. What if I want to adopt the child, is that possible?
8. What if I have problems with the child?
9. What are the qualifications of a foster parent?
10. How do I become a foster parent?
11. Can both foster parents work full-time on the same schedule?
12. What's required of my home physically?
13. Why should I become a foster parent?
1. What is foster parenting?
Foster parenting is caring for a child whose family is unable to care for him/her. Foster parents provide love, support, guidance, discipline, and a safe, stable home. Foster care is time-limited, since the goal of a foster child is achieving a permanent home.
2. What is a foster child?
A foster child is a child who has been separated from his/her parent(s) and is placed in a temporary home, the home of the foster parents. The foster child is monitored by a county children and youth agency. The separation from parent(s) occurs for varying reasons such as physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, illness/death, and/or stressful family situations. A foster child looks like any other child; he/she comes from varied backgrounds and can range in age from birth to age 18. A foster child may experience emotional and/or behavioral problems because he/she has been exposed to traumatic events and separated from his/her family.
3. As a foster parent, what am I specifically expected to do?
You will act like a parent and attend to the day-to-day needs of the child. Provision of food, clothing, and shelter, of course, is basic. Beyond that:
- Promote school attendance
- Arrange medical and dental care
- Provide recreational activities
- Keep records
- Work with all agencies involved with the child
- Support the child emotionally
- Be open to birth-family-related responsibilities
- Provide transportation
- Discipline fairly
4. Who pays for the care of the child?
You will receive a monthly payment that helps cover the cost of the child's needs; Medical Assistance pays the child's medical, dental, and psychological expenses.
5. How long will the child stay at my home?
The answer is determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, the child will stay as long as it takes for a permanent home to be located, or, until being in the home proves disadvantageous to the child.
6. Is there a choice of what type of child I get?
Yes, you will list your preferences in a child at the time of application. Also, before any child is placed into your home, you will be told relevant information about the child and ultimately decide if the child should move into your home.
7. What if I want to adopt the child, is that possible?
The answer is determined on an individual basis; it depends on the child's specific situation.
8. What if I have problems with the child?
The Children's Service Center's foster care program is very supportive. There is 24-hour access for help, as well as, ongoing training available. We will do whatever we could to improve the situation; if, however, other living arrangements are necessary, the child will be relocated.
9. What are the qualifications of a foster parent?
Foster parents must:
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Be 21 years of age or older (Married OR Single)
- Be a homeowner or renter with a safe environment for a child
- Be able to provide for their own family's financial needs
- Have stable family relationships
- Be willing to work with others
- Pass a background check
- Be a legal, permanent resident
10. How do I become a foster parent?
A home visit from our foster care team will begin the study of your home as a potential foster home. CSC staff will help you through the recruiting process of references, clearances, required documents, and training. The end result, upon approval of the CSC Foster Parenting Committee, is a child being placed in your home to share your life.
11. Can both foster parents work full-time on the same schedule?
Yes; however, children would require daycare/supervision provided by persons who have passed a background check and been issued clearances. Also, there is no reimbursement for daycare/supervision services.
12. What's required of my home physically?
Your home must be clean and in good repair. There should be appropriate bed and bedroom capability. Things such as firearms, ammunition, medications, and hazardous substances must be kept locked up safely. A fire extinguisher must be in the kitchen, and a smoke detector has to be on each level of the home. A pool must be fenced in with a locking capability. Pets require vaccinations and must be non-aggressive.
13. Why should I become a foster parent?
You are desperately needed! Foster children seek love, guidance, support, and discipline to help them become responsible citizens. You will be able to take pride in helping them accomplish that. Foster parenting gives you the opportunity to change the life of a child, for the better. Yes, sometimes it is challenging, but however demanding parenting is, it is just as rewarding.